Asbestos In Attic Dangerous

These are thin visible fibers.

Asbestos in attic dangerous.

One of the most common materials containing asbestos fibers is attic and wall insulation. Many of the fibers will become trapped in the mucous membranes of the nose and throat where they can then be removed but some. But just because your insulation is old doesn t mean it is dangerous. Asbestos is dangerous because it contains what is known as fibrous crystals.

There are many different kinds of wool like insulation that are man made and do not have asbestos but if your attic insulation looks like wool than it is best to be safe and have it tested by a professional. Even small movements can send asbestos particles into the air. The attic is not used for storage or any other use. In fact it s still used heavily in some parts of the world such as india and china.

If you have vermiculite based insulation in your attic it may contain asbestos. Once vermiculite is disturbed millions of asbestos fibers become airborne. To avoid exposure to asbestos fibres do not disturb vermiculite based attic insulation in any way or attempt to remove it yourself. Asbestos was a popular material for most of the twentieth century mainly because of its ability to insulate and act as a fire retardant.

Asbestos is very dangerous and can cause serious health complications if you ingest or inhale it. In older homes specifically asbestos may be found in many different materials from pipe insulation to flooring adhesive to roof shingles. As will be discussed in a moment these fibrils can cause serious and even fatal illnesses. If the asbestos is undisturbed and it s sealed away from your home s living space such as in a ventilated attic or inside the walls many homeowners decide to leave vermiculite insulation alone rather than spending thousands of dollars on remediation.

By the 1990 s however asbestos had been phased out of most new american homes in favor of safer materials. The asbestos found in vermiculite is extremely friable and is the most dangerous type amphibole of asbestos. Look in your attic for loose fill asbestos. The most common way for asbestos fibers to enter the body is through breathing.

These fibers consist of millions of microscopic fibrils. Check the underside of your roof for a white or gray rough coating. Asbestos spray coating was a commonly used way to insulate a roof and sometimes the sides of buildings. Asbestos was incorporated in the insulation of different types including attic insulation.

Asbestos is actually a natural fiber so if your attic insulation looks like wool there is a slight chance that it will contain asbestos. In fact asbestos containing material is not generally considered to be harmful unless it is releasing dust or fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or ingested. Children are not allowed in the attic.